Approximately 15 Houses in Kiran’tum Under Direct Azerbaijani Observation

The statements released yesterday evening by the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's office regarding the demarcation between Azerbaijan and Armenia are evidently misleading the public and undermining Armenia's security framework. This was stated by former Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan.

He also noted, “The process contradicts the foundations of the Constitution of Armenia and international obligations, as well as the rule of law in general. It is anti-democratic, as it occurs without the genuine participation of people and especially the local residents, disregarding their opinions. Firstly, the Demarcation and Border Security Issues Commission has no function concerning demarcation. There is no law, government decision, or any other legal act in Armenia that grants any authority to the commission or any of its members.”

Moreover, on April 19, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly stated that before July 1, 2024, work should be completed on the draft regulations concerning the joint activities of the State Demarcation Commission of the Republic of Armenia and Azerbaijan. This means that there will be no demarcation project even before July 1.

On the other hand, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, what is happening currently in Tavush is a demarcation process. The same was reiterated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. In contrast, the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and several MPs from the ruling faction (Civil Contract) assert that what is happening in Tavush is preliminary demarcation, without clarifying what that means.

The statements from Civil Contract MPs (contradictory and confusing) imply that demarcation will occur after the installation of pillars in Tavush. However, it should be noted that the installation of pillars signifies the conclusion of the boundary determination, not the initial phase of boundary determination prior to demarcation.

The statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister's office yesterday ignore the safety and basic needs of the residents of Kiran’tum, Ajarkut, Voskepar, and other villages in Tavush, as well as the country’s national security. Even people's natural environment cannot be endangered.

According to our studies, as a result of these solutions, for instance, in Kiran’tum, 2 houses and approximately 57 plots of land, which local residents have legal rights to, are being unlawfully handed over to Azerbaijani control. About 15 houses come under immediate Azerbaijani observation and are located right at the border. The village of Ajarkut is also under Azerbaijani targeting, among others.

The statement from the Prime Minister's office yesterday is misleading in that it creates the impression that 25 hectares of land is being transferred from Azerbaijani control to Armenian control. However, according to the precise data we have clarified, that land has originally been under the control of Armenia. It was merely a mined area. Therefore, I once again decisively state that what is happening undermines the safety structures of the people and the entire country, does not ensure a secure life for the residents of Tavush villages, and, of course, contradicts the interests of the Armenian statehood and people.